Integrated automatic heating/air conditioning system (IHKA): Ioniser

The ionizer treats the air upstream of the evaporator. The ionizer contains a ceramic plate covered with toughened glass.

Electrical conductor paths are attached at the front and at rear side. An AC voltage of approx. 3 kV is applied to the electrode by the control electronics circuit. The application of a device-internal high voltage leads to partial ionization of the air. The reaction generates hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide produces a chemical reaction that removes bacteria for the most part from the evaporator and other components of the automatic air conditioning system.

The ionizer is controlled depending on the automatic program as well as the operating condition of the vehicle. The IHKA control unit activates the ionizer by means of a pulse-width modulated signal (PWM signal).

Fig 1: Identifying Ioniser

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.